Actor Michelle Yeoh feels that nobody would have done a better job at making Crazy Rich Asians than filmmaker Jon M Chu. By Team Viva
What fascinated you to be a part of the film Crazy Rich Asians?
I heard about Kevin Kwan’s novel by the same name. He stated that his intention of writing the novel was to “introduce a contemporary Asia to a North American audience.” He also claimed that the novel was loosely based on his own childhood in Singapore. I can still recall a few of my friends from Hongkong and Singapore who came to me one fine day and said, ‘Have you read this book? You must really make it into a film’. So, when I read it, I could understand why they said it. It was funny and it was a good take on super-rich people, their lifestyles. What really got me going was when Jon M Chu was attached. I felt that this really needed a director, who understood the culture and also had a very dynamic sense of humour but very grounded in the cultural realities of what it takes to be an Asian.
How would you define your character?
Eleanor Sung-Young is formidable. Everybody looks at her and tremble in their shoes. I think she is a protective and a very caring mother. She is trying her best to be the best daughter-in-law, which is never easy, but she is trying to keep the family together because she understands what this family means. Not just to themselves but to many other families that depend on them and their work. Of course, like all mothers, she wants her son to be back home. We send the kids away so that they get a better education but somewhere deep down, we hope that after they have achieved certain things in life, they come home to their family and do more for their own country. And I think that she is working very hard towards that.
What do you think of Jon M Chu as the director?
It’s been amazing working with Jon. I had a great experience because he is one of those directors who knows what he wants but is also open to listening and understanding and maybe learn something new or have a different take on it. He is also surrounded by the most fantastic producers: Nina Jacobson and John Penotti and Andrew. It was very important that he is surrounded by people who completely support his vision. He actually had a very strong vision, which is exactly what this film needed.
How was your meeting with the author of the book, Kevin Kwan?
We had the privilege of meeting the author of the book. Kevin was so charming on sets. On the very first day, he was just standing at the door and I saw him staring and smiling at me and I was thinking maybe I know him from somewhere and it was Kevin. He told me that it was his dream to see me play the character of Eleanor Sung-Young, which came true! He said, “I am literally watching my dream come true.” I thought that was so sweet of him.
What was your experience of shooting in Singapore?
When you here it is very organic, when you step out and you feel the heat, the tropical air, you walk into that hawker centre, all the different food and smell and when you look at the wedding, the reception, the colours, simply because you are in a tropical climate, the orchids, all the colours are real and vivid so that’s the importance of being here. Even though we have some of the best set designs when you shoot inside the studio, nothing beats being in a real location, there’s just something about it that is very tangible, you can put it in your hands and you can feel it here (heart).
(Crazy Rich Asians premieres on Sony PIX on February 14 at 9 pm.)